Question – How much time would you like to get back in your day? An hour? 2 hours? Whatever amount you thought of, if you only had to invest 10 or 15 minutes to get it, would you? Don’t you wonder where those elusive hours of your day disappear to?
Imagine having extra time to pursue your passions, tackle your to-do list, and still have moments to savor the little things without feeling like you’re missing something. That’s what we’re going to talk about today, the power of time-blocking and how it can give you space and time to find inspiration and productivity in your life. And the best part? It's not about rigid schedules or cookie-cutter routines. It's about crafting a day that works for you, honoring your energy levels, and ensuring you have time to thrive.
Time blocking is a game-changer for those of us with ADHD. It's not just about managing your schedule; it's about seizing control of your day and infusing intention into each moment. By crafting a well-structured day, you can reduce the overwhelming chaos and bring clarity to your goals. You still get to decide how you spend your time, having designated blocks for focused work, creativity, self-care, and even those unexpected twists that life throws your way. You might be thinking, "How do I even start?" Well, here’s the basics.
The major difference between time blocking and rigid scheduling is that we’re giving ourselves the flexibility to do the task at any point within the time block. For example, I typically schedule only 1 or 2 items in each block of the day (making sure to also account for breaks and transition times). That block is the ONLY time you allow yourself to work on that task, if you miss it, then you must move on to the next block.
I know that sounds harsh, because you can’t afford to miss certain tasks, but that’s exactly the point. By giving ourselves micro-deadlines and adding immediacy to the consequences of missing one, we can “hack” our ADHD brains into feeling the sense of urgency we need to inspire us to act. This process is designed to help you visualize your day, prioritize tasks, and embrace those moments of pure inspiration. By dedicating time blocks to specific activities, you're not only managing your time effectively but also nurturing your creativity and well-being.
Ready to unlock a day filled with purpose, and find time for inspiration in the spaces between? I hope you can discover as I have how time blocking can transform your schedule, energize your creativity by freeing up mental energy, and ultimately giving you back the time you deserve by spending a just little time each morning on this.
I promise, it will be time well spent.
Thanks as always for reading,
Aaron Frank
Founder, The ADHD Project
P.S. You can use any tool you want to write out your time blocks, you can even draw it up yourself! But if you would like a tailored all-in-one solution for this and much more, you can check out The ADHD Project Planner here!